LONESTARP3 Program Manager

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, UT

45d • $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

A leadership position within LONESTARP3, reporting to the Director, responsible for leading and orchestrating the work of RP3 Research Collaboratives across research, operations, and strategy. In this capacity, the Program Manager leads shared purpose-setting and design of structures for collaboration, ensuring that research activities, grant operations, and communication efforts are coherent, aligned, and mutually reinforcing. The position also oversees and guides translation of collaborative research into accessible, actionable products and in supporting reflective practice and learning across the LONESTARP3network. This position emphasizes sensemaking leadership and program orchestration. The Program Manager enables Research Collaboratives to work effectively across organizational, disciplinary, and sector boundaries, using designs and systems that promote reflective practice, shared learning, and network health by design. This position will also support the design and launch of new cohorts of LONESTARP3 Research Collaboratives, supporting them from initial contracting, through investigation, and documenting findings. Responsibilities include updating and maintaining structured protocols and guidance for research design, implementation, and reporting processes to ensure equitable and inclusive participation of all collaborative members and reviewing resulting designs to ensure alignment with RP3 priorities, agile approaches, and actionable outcomes. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys working at the intersection of research, practice, and policy; is comfortable leading through influence rather than authority; and values building shared understanding across diverse partners. This role is well-suited for individuals who enjoy designing structures, facilitating learning, and supporting collaboration in complex, evolving environments. This position is grant funded through September 30, 2027, renewed annually based on continued receipt of funding.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in education, economics, or similar field, with 5 years of work experience.
• E xperience in quantitative research methods using state longitudinal data bases.
• E xperience coordinating or administering a program focused on improving student outcomes .
• Experience communicating best practice and evidence to policy advocates or policy makers.
• Demonstrated writing, research, and project management skills .
• Strong communication skills, as well as a n understanding of the higher education research community .
• Ability to self-start, learn quickly, meet deadlines, and follow through on tasks.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral Degree in education, economics, or similar field, with 7 years of work experience.
• Experience in postsecondary pathways, in either research , program , or policy roles.
• Experience with Qualtri cs for collecting data and generating reports .
• Experience with the Texas E ducation Research Center for accessing data and conducting analyses .

Responsibilities

• Program Operations & Grant Stewardship Support the LONESTARP3 Research Collaborative cohorts through effective grant and program operations. Responsibilities intensify during cohort launch and early implementation periods and include: Oversee and manage Research Collaborative grants, including tracking budgets, invoices, and compliance requirements. Direct and monitor grant deliverables and timelines; maintain systems and tools to support accountability and transparency. Serve as a primary point of coordination between Research Collaboratives, RP3 leadership, and funders regarding grant requirements and progress. Develop and steward processes and documentation to support efficient grant administration across cohorts. Translate grant requirements, subaward status, and compliance expectations into accessible updates for Research Collaboratives to support timely execution and shared accountability.
• Research Translation & Communications Infrastructure Lead the design and maintenance of shared communication and translation infrastructure that enables Research Collaboratives to communicate progress and findings to internal and external audiences. Direct the development and use of standardized templates and structures (e.g., slide decks, progress reports, briefs) to support consistent and high-quality communication across Research Collaboratives. Translate research activities and emerging findings into accessible, audience-specific materials for funders, policy partners, and intermediary organizations. Support Research Collaboratives in preparing updates and products for convenings, reporting cycles, and external dissemination. Oversee the production and quality of recurring translation products, including progress reports, brochures, and external-facing updates.
• Collaborative Coordination & Network Health This area of responsibility requires comfort facilitating ambiguity, navigating differing priorities, and supporting collaboration across institutional and sector boundaries. Support the effective functioning and relational health of the RP3 Research Collaborative network, as well as the health and impact of the LONESTARP3 network broadly. Lead, design, and facilitate structured, cross-collaborative convenings that integrate research progress, operational updates, and shared learning. Establish and direct meeting protocols that promote reflection, knowledge exchange, and problem-solving across Research Collaboratives. Identify, synthesize, and elevate cross-cutting issues, risks, and opportunities emerging from collaborative discussions and elevate them to RP3 leadership. Support relationship-building and trust across diverse research, practice, and policy partners through consistent engagement and responsive follow-up. Develop tools, instruments and measure for collecting feedback on the quality, value, and impact of Collaborative activities.
• Develop Strategic Priorities and Measure Progress and Impact Lead and guide analytic and planning activities to inform the development of future RP3 research priorities and Research Collaborative cohorts. Direct and refine landscape analyses to synthesize existing research, identify gaps, and surface emerging priorities. Prepare internal analyses, summaries, and presentations to support strategic decision-making related to RP3’s research agenda. Contribute to framing research agenda for future Research Collaborative cohorts in alignment with RP3 priorities and funder interests.
• Professional Representation & Field Engagement Represent RP3 in professional and field-based settings to support visibility, learning, and partnership development. Participate in RP3 convenings and external events as a representative of the initiative. Contribute to presentations, panels, or discussions that highlight RP3 research activities and approaches. Support relationship-building with external partners, intermediaries, and peer organizations in the education research and policy field.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager